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Scriptural Exegesis and Hermenutics. There is much debate as to how one ought to interpret the ethical and moral sayings of Jesus. Roman Catholics
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There is much debate as to how one ought to interpret the ethical and moral sayings of Jesus. Roman Catholics understand scripture from a contextualist position, and that a direct, literal application of these texts to the 21st Century is not warranted. The worlds of Jesus and today are so different, yet not so different that no connections exist between them. The words and person of Jesus still have their impact on our time. Just hearingthe voice of Jesus say to us: “Love your enemies” or “Lend, expecting nothing in return” leaves us perhaps as incredulous as it did those who heard it two thousand years ago. It is still wise to know in what context Jesus made these sayings.
EXEGESIS • The word "exegesis" is a Greek word that can be literally rendered "to lead out," "to explain," or "to interpret.” • The discipline of exegesis has existed for over two thousand years. Over time the Church has used a variety of different methods to analyze texts. • Exegesis is: • A systematic process by which a person arrives at a reasonable and coherent sense of the meaning and message of a biblical passage • It studies the texts in their original context. It looks at the language, the historical context in which it was originally written, the religious traditions surrounding the text, the structuring of language, literary genres, other religious texts of the time.
THE GOAL OF EXEGESIS To what the text meant to its original audience and in its original historical setting To explain what the text means today
Modern scripture scholars have developed a number of techniques to enhance our understanding and appreciation of scriputre… Referred to as the Historical-Critical Method: Please refer to the half sheet handout titled A New Look at Scripture
THREE STEPS OF EXEGESIS1. OBSERVATION – “What does the author say?” • Begin by reading the passage, perhaps a few times • use a good translation, it may help to read a few translations • read the larger context; the chapter or letter or book • Note your specific observations concerning the passage • What key words, images, symbols are used? • Where else are key words used by the same writer? By other Biblical writers? Outside the Bible? • What characters appear and what are their relationships? • What issues are addressed in the passage? • Did the passage have a source? Do we have access to that source? (= source criticism)
THREE STEPS OF EXEGESIS1. OBSERVATION – “What does the author say?” • What unique views of emphases does the writer place on the text? (= redation criticism) • What is the writer’s life situation or theological outlook? • What are the socio-cultural codes embedded in the text (e.g. honour/shame)? (=social-scientific criticism) • Ask yourself what cultural assumptions you might be making; e.g. economic, health, family.
THREE STEPS OF EXEGESIS2. Interpretation – “What did the author mean?” • Social-historical context: What is the author’s and audience’s situation? • Politics; geography; customs • Use a good Bible dictionary, atlas, encyclopedia • For whom was the written? • What issue(s) does the passage address? • Literary Context • Focus on significant words, phrases, statements • What is its meaning (definitions; contextualize)?
THREE STEPS OF EXEGESIS2. Interpretation – “What did the author mean?” • Rhetorical context: What is the significance of the progression in the thought patter? • What was the author trying to convey to the audience – e.g., theological truths, practical advice? • What types of responses did the author expect on the basis of writing this passage? • Theological context: What do you know about the author’s theological perspective? • Concisely summarize the primary ideas of the passage: what is the author trying to convey?
HERMENEUTICS Hermeneutics takes exegesis one step further. It tries to understand the texts no just in themselves but how they still have force today. We need to interpret the meaning of the texts in the context in which they were written. Exegesis and hermeneutics are required to understand the full meaning of the text as the they were written centuries ago.
THREE STEPS OF EXEGESIS3. Hermeneutics : Application – “What does it mean for me?” • Hermeneutics is moving the message of scripture from one social context to another. That is moving scripture from the ancient world to our own world. • What was the author’s purpose in writing this passage? • Does the passage contain “universal truths” (applicable to all ages) or “contextual truths” (applicable for a certain period of history)? • How does the passage fit with the whole message of the Bible?
THREE STEPS OF EXEGESIS3. Hermeneutics : Application – “What does it mean for me?” • Consider the passage with the following questions in mind: • What am I to believe after reading this passage? • What am I to do (actions, attitudes, sin)? • What do I learn about relationships? • What is the good news for me? • Ask how you can address an audience (the class): • How can you best explain the original meaning of the text? • How can you help them connect with the truths of the text?
